Basic Skincare Routine
I can’t start a post about my skincare routine without first making some skincare confessions:
I am not consistent with a skincare routine. It seems to get less consistent the older I get. I go to bed with my make-up on at least once a week - usually on Thursday - because Thursday Tired is a thing.
I know nothing about these products except I like how they feel on my skin, and usually, how they smell. Everyone has standards, and those are mine. There are a ton of very educated skin care experts on the internet. I am not one of them.
My mom looks 10 years younger than she actually is. Good genes are a big contributor to the way my skin looks.
My skin looks the best it has in my life, and I’m pretty sure it’s hormones. Oily skin haunted me until my early 40s. Now that I’m premenopausal, the oil level has dropped considerably, and I finally have “normal” skin.
With all that being said, if you’re still interested in my humble skincare routine, let’s jump in to the details.
Daily
Morning (Cleanse > Serum > Moisturize)
1. Cleanse
My first step is always cleanse. I keep a small bottle of cleanser in the shower. Lately I’ve been loving Tula’s The Cult Classic Face Cleanser. IT SMELLS AMAZING! When my skin was oily, my go-to cleanser was Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Cleanser. It smells equally amazing but is too drying right now for my skin.
Tula | The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser
Cetaphil Daily Cleanser
2. Serum
I apply 3-4 drops of Sunday Reily’s C.E.O. Glow serum. My skin soaks this stuff up. I really do think it makes my skin glow (and it isn’t from making it oily). Fair warning: it has a fairly strong aroma like spicy hot tea that I didn’t like at first, but now I look forward to smelling it.
3. Moisturize & Protect
I started using bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrated Gel Cream when COVID hit because it offered a little bit of coverage with 30 SPF. It is great worn alone for a sheer, natural look, but most days, I mix it with a pea size amount of foundation to get a little extra coverage. I alternate between the shades Wheat (for Winter) and Suede (for Summer).
PM (Cleanse > Moisturize)
1. Cleanse
At night, I use a different cleanser but only because it seems like a lot of trouble to pull the other bottle out of the shower (eyeroll).
Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleanser is my go-to these days since my face has become drier, but honestly, I’m not really picky about my cleanser.
I am, however, picky about the washcloths I use to take off my make-up. Nothing gets all of it off like these microfiber face cloths. They come in a six pack, and I have exactly 18 of them. I use a different one everyday, and it’s probably one of the best things I’ve done for my skin.
2. Moisturize
I 100% bought Fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream because of it’s smell, but I’ve been extremely impressed with how soft it makes my skin feel. It is a great cream moisturizer which I’ve definitely need this Winter. In the Summer, I opt for Peter Thomas Roth’s Water Drench which was also great for oily skin.
Extra Credit
While I try to keep my day-to-day fairly simple, there are a few special products I use occasionally, and I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THEM because I cannot stand to have dead skin on my face!!
Weekly (Evening)
DEEP EXFOLIATION:
Preferably at night, after cleansing and before moisturizing, I use Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Mini Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel. I know it says “daily peel,” but a) I don’t want to spend that much money a month and b) my skin doesn’t need that much exfoliation.
Each treatment involves two steps: 1) Exfoliate & Smooth and 2) Anti-aging Neutralizer. You rub the chemical goodness on with the pre-moistened pad and leave it one for two minutes. These little pads in my opinion, are GAME CHANGERS. My skin can have dry patchy spots and feel like sandpaper, but after doing this treatment, it feels like brand new skin. It’s magical.
SHEET MASK
I always, always, always follow-up deep exfoliation than will a moisturizing sheet mask. Sephora’s Coconut & Lychee are my favorites because they only take 5 minutes. (You can leave them on longer if you wish). Neutrogena’s HydroBoost are a close second. They stay on 15 minutes.
Twice A Week (Morning)
I use Peter Thomas Roth’s Peeling Gel twice a week in the morning after cleansing my face. Be sure to pat your face completely dry to get the most impact.
This stuff is so satisfying because your skin pills up into little disgusting balls of dead skin, and it makes me so happy. Highly recommend!
That’s it. That’s my basic skincare routine when I’m on top of things. Here’s a little summary sheet so you can get a feel for how it all flows together during the week. I hope this has been helpful.
What’s your favorite skincare product? Tell me.
